South Western Railway (SWR) introduced the first refurbished Class 458 train on June 24, 2024, which operates between London Waterloo, Hounslow, Weybridge and Twickenham.
17 of SWR’s Class 458 fleet have been refurbished with a further 11 to follow. Each four-car unit has 234 seats in two-by-two formation, all with seat back tables and charging points, as well as space for two wheelchair users. Each carriage also has two tables fitted with wireless charging points.
“We are very pleased to introduce the first of our refurbished Class 458 units. Their interior refresh, including improved seating and newly installed tables and charging points, will make a noticeable difference to our customers’ journeys,” Neil Drury, South Western Railway’s Engineering and Infrastructure Director, said.
The refurbished Class 458 train has two first class compartments with two tables and 12 seats, however, these have been declassified for suburban services and will be available to customers holding standard class tickets.
The units’ refreshed interiors, along with their updated SWR livery, mean they now closely resemble SWR’s 444 and 450 Desiro fleets.
The refurbished trains were originally intended for use on the route between London Waterloo and Portsmouth Harbour via Guildford.
However, following the Covid-19 pandemic and subsequent changes in customer travel patterns, the fleet will temporarily operate services on SWR’s suburban network, as SWR works towards the full introduction of its fleet of 90 new Arterio trains.
The 28, four-car Class 458 trains will be designated as Class 458/4. The eight remaining five-car units will be designated as Class 458/5.
In April 2021, Porterbrook, the rolling stock owner and asset manager, awarded Alstom a GBP 25 million (EUR 29.4 million) contract to upgrade Class 458 fleet until 2027.
This contract was based on the decision of South Western Railway (SWR) to extend the leases on Porterbrook’s Class 458 trains.
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